{"subTitle":"Guidance on the safe construction of pioneering activities.","backgroundImage":{"url":null,"caption":null,"type":null,"size":0,"width":0,"height":0,"altText":null},"backgroundColour":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFS315056 (published November 2024, replacing\u0026nbsp;October 2019)\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPioneering is deeply seated in Scouting tradition and involves the process of designing and constructing equipment for practical uses from bridges to swings. Pioneering is often used to build camp gateways as well as functional objects such as tables and benches.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt is good for learning practical skills as well as developing teamwork and problem-solving skills.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople should be made aware of the risks involved with the activity and understand the necessary safety precautions in place to reduce them. This simple\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://members.scouts.org.uk/fs120000\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eguide to assessing and controlling risk\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Ewill help you and has a handy template to record it.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhat to make? There are many good pioneering ideas with helpful, clear, step-by-step instructions on the internet. They range from full sized structures to models made from spaghetti.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[]}],"config":null}]},"sections":[{"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EPlanning your project\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETry to make projects that can hold the participants\u0027 interest for the duration of the project build. Too often volunteers have ended up completing the project rather than the young people. Just because the project looks great does not mean it\u2019s a good activity idea.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EConsider how your project is appropriate for the age of the young people involved.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPlan well, assess the risks involved and think about how those will influence your \u2018operating plan\u2019 for using it once completed, including how you take it apart after.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EConsider the impact to the natural environment especially when using trees for anchors or parts of obstacle courses, throwing a rope over a branch may be a simple solution but leaving it up because you cannot untie the knot leaves a strangulation hazard and will eventually cause the branch to become damaged.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003ELocating your project\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHaving planned out what you want to build, consider how much space you will need to build it and use it safely and easily. It will probably want flat, stable ground. If it is a tall structure think about overhead hazards such as trees or cables. Just because the project looks great does not mean it\u2019s a good activity idea.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EDuring the project\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThink about supervision of the project and how it is going to be secured when not in use if left unattended.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAlso consider light conditions at night and people walking or running into ropes and spars.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe ropes will stretch overnight and then be slack in the morning so need to be checked if left overnight.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECheck that the poles you are using are in good condition, free of damage and rot? Gloves are often useful when working with large poles.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIs the equipment suitable for the age group you are working with or should you plan a \u2018mini-pioneering\u2019 project for younger age sections?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemember that your structure will have a limited strength so don\u2019t overload it once made.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA photo of the whole Group across it may seem a fun memory to make, but the structure may not cope with the load if it is designed for only four people at a time and you add 25.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETake extra care near water and consider whether extra precaution and supervision need to be in place.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EAfter your project\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETidying up and clearing away consider how you are going to dismantle your project once it is built. Carefully plan to avoid parts falling or the structure collapsing whilst dismantling. Make sure there are enough people available to keep this safe. Many hands DO make light work.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFill in any holes and clear away any debris.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[]}],"config":null}]},"prev":null,"next":{"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/technique/","title":"Technique"},"allParts":[{"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/safety-tips/","title":"Safety Tips"},{"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/technique/","title":"Technique"},{"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/pioneering-equipment/","title":"Pioneering Equipment"}],"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/safety-tips/","id":47445,"nodeName":"Safety Tips","title":"Safety Tips","type":"codexPart","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Safety Tips","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"searchDescription":"","subHeader":"","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80NzQ0NSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/safety-tips/"},{"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003ELashings are used to join together poles or spars to enable the construction of objects and structures. In Scouting this activity is called pioneering. Common pioneering projects include gateways, bridges and platforms, or smaller camp items such as washstands, chairs, benches and tables.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EKnow your knots before attempting to learn lashings, particularly the clove hitch and the timber hitch, which are essential elements of a lashing. The clove hitch is used to secure a rope to a spar, as when beginning a lashing. It is far more secure than a single half hitch. The timber hitch is used to secure the end of a rope to a spar.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESee\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scoutadventures.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-05/Lashing%20-%20Factsheet_0.pdf\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 onclick=\u0022_gaq.push([\u0027_trackEvent\u0027, \u0027PDF\u0027, \u0027Download\u0027, \u0027https://www.scoutadventures.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-05/Lashing%20-%20Factsheet_0.pdf\u0027]);\u0022\u003ELashing\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Efor further info.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"type":"Promo","cta":"Read the lashing factsheet","body":"","link":{"name":"Lashing Scout adventures","id":null,"url":"https://www.scoutadventures.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-05/Lashing%20-%20Factsheet_0.pdf","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#ffe627","title":"Lashing","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"prev":{"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/safety-tips/","title":"Safety Tips"},"next":{"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/pioneering-equipment/","title":"Pioneering Equipment"},"allParts":[{"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/safety-tips/","title":"Safety Tips"},{"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/technique/","title":"Technique"},{"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/pioneering-equipment/","title":"Pioneering Equipment"}],"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/technique/","id":47446,"nodeName":"Technique","title":"Technique","type":"codexPart","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Technique","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"searchDescription":"","subHeader":"","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80NzQ0NiJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/technique/"},{"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EPoles (spars)\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPioneering poles will last much longer if they are stripped of bark before use. Try to source spruce, larch or ash, and avoid brittle woods like willow and poplar. For younger sections or activity inside you can use spaghetti (with marsh mallows), pea sticks, bamboo canes or Scout staves.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003ERopes\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EUse good quality rope such as 8 or 10 mm diameter sisal for lashings that will take a strain, though thinner sisal can be used for small pioneering projects. Remember that natural fibre sisal will tighten when wet but equally slacken once dried. This may affect the integrity of your structure. String or elastic bands works well with cane structures indoors.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EGuys\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESome structures may need stabilising using guy ropes.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EPegs\u003Cspan\u003E \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou may need these to anchor guys or to lash the end of the structure to the floor.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EMallet\u003Cspan\u003E \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETo knock pegs or pickets in to the ground\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EPickets (long peg/post)\u003Cspan\u003E \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFor anchoring rope supporting the structure (especially bridges or runways)\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EBlocks/pulleys\u003Cspan\u003E \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBlocks and hooks will be needed for more advanced pioneering projects such as aerial runways, hoists and swings.\u00A0 Reference should also be made to the guidance on\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/roped-activities/high-ropes/\u0022 title=\u0022High Ropes\u0022\u003EHigh Ropes\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Eand the\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/roped-activities/aerial-runway-code/\u0022 title=\u0022Aerial runway code\u0022\u003EAerial Runways\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003EAuger\u003Cspan\u003E \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA large hand drill to make a hole in the ground to make upright spars more stable.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[]}],"config":null}]},"prev":{"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/technique/","title":"Technique"},"next":null,"allParts":[{"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/safety-tips/","title":"Safety Tips"},{"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/technique/","title":"Technique"},{"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/pioneering-equipment/","title":"Pioneering Equipment"}],"link":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/pioneering-equipment/","id":47447,"nodeName":"Pioneering Equipment","title":"Pioneering Equipment","type":"codexPart","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Pioneering Equipment","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"searchDescription":"","subHeader":"","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80NzQ0NyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/pioneering-equipment/"}],"id":47443,"nodeName":"Safe Pioneering","title":"Safe Pioneering","type":"codex","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Pioneering Guidance","headerSubTitle":"Guidance on the safe construction of pioneering activities.","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"ffe627","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[]},"searchDescription":"Guidance on the safe construction of pioneering activities.","subHeader":"Guidance on the safe construction of pioneering activities.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80NzQ0MyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-camping-residentials-and-outdoor-skills/safe-pioneering/"}